Bhutan for long has been an idyllic destination for Indian travelers. With its mesmerizing beauty, stunning landscapes and therefore the incontrovertible fact that it's just a step away, Bhutan has been a favorite destination among Indian tourists.
But now, a replacement scheme by the Bhutanese government is about to vary that.
Bhutan recently decided to end free travel for Indians visiting the country. The country will now charge a fee of Rs 1,200 per Day per Person.
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Entry into Bhutan will not be free Anymore for Indian tourists. The Bhutan government on Monday passed legislation imposing an entry fee on tourists from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, consistent with media reports.
The FEE of USD 17 (Rs 1200/-) per Day per Person would come into force from 1-July-2020.
Tourists from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives will have to shella out ₹1,200 per Day Bhutan Entry fee for visiting the country. The fee is named a ‘Sustainable Development Fee’ (SDF).
Till 30-June-2020, Indian nationals visiting Bhutan are only required to carry any of the two valid travel documents necessary and did not have to pay any entry fee. The travel documents are "an Indian passport with minimum 6 months validity" and/or "a voter ID card" issued by the Election Commission of India.
Indian citizens did not require a visa to visit Bhutan.
The decision comes in action because of the increasing number of ‘regional tourists’ to the region and its effect on Bhutan’s ecology. SDF goes on to the Bhutan government and therefore the government coffers as direct revenue. The fee is supposed to assist the govt tackle the sharp rise within the number of tourists in terms of control. It also contributes towards the government’s initiatives regarding the welfare of Bhutanese citizens, consistent with the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
According to the Tourism Council of Bhutan’s Annual Report, India is the main source of tourists to the country. India’s share in visitors to Bhutan is quite 69 percent with quite 19 lakh tourists visiting the country.
Foreign tourists are already charged $200-250 SDF as a part of their Minimum Daily Package which covers meals, accommodation, and transportation. SDF is calculated as $200-250 multiplied by the number of international leisure arrivals and therefore the number of nights spent in Bhutan.
The Minimum Daily Package for Foreign Tourists is priced at $250 during peak season and $200 during the off-season for foreign tourists.
Tourists from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are categorized as regional tourists due to different entry requirements and are exempt from the Entry fee or SDF till 30-June-2020.
Implementation of SDF or Entry FEE for Indians would increase the cost of the tour Drastically. Starting from 1-July-2020, For a 7 Days-6 Nights Bhutan Tour, Indian Tourists would be charged roughly Rs. 7200/- per Person as SDF / Entry Fee.
The doubtful nail in the coffin is, that Bhutan Govt has confirmed the date of Implementation of SDF/Entry Fee for Indian Tourists but yet to confirm the Exact FEE as the Dec-2019 reports claimed it to be USD 65 (Approx. Rs. 4,650/-) per Person per Day; later in Late Jan-2020 it was reported as USD 17 per Person per Day.
Whatever amount be the SDF/Entry Fee, to avoid the Hefty charge in FUTURE, those who has Bhutan in their Travel List, are Rushing to Bhutan and the Current Rush would eventually Impact in Increased charges of Hotels, Food and Transportation.
Conclusion:
If Bhutan is or has been into your Travel List, then Early the visit, Affordable the Trip.
